Water-electrolyzing apparatus.



. MUELLER'& E. G.-ROWLAND WATER ELECTROLYZING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.2, $914. RENEWEDJAN. 17,1917. 1 ,220,262.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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R. 1. '1. MUELLER & E. e. ROWLANDS. WATER ELECTROLYZING. APPARATUS.

APPLLCATION FILED JAN.21,914. RENEWED JAN. H.19l7- Patented Mar. 27, 1917 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'ffllllll flA 7 S MUELLER & E. G. ROWLANDS.

WATER ELECTROLYZING APPARATUS. APPLlCATlON FILED JAN-2119M. RENEWED JAN. 17,1911.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M @lwwewtoz R. J. J. MUELLER & E. G. ROWLANDS.

WATERELECTROLYZJNG APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, 194. RENEWED JAN. 17. 1917.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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"are areas PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH JACOB JOHANNES MUELLER AND ERROLL GODDARD ROWLANDS, 0F SHEBOY- .GAN, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO UNIVE OF WISCONSIN.

RSAL OXYGEN COMPANY, A 'CQRPORATION WATEE-ELEGTROLYZING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 27, 191 '1.

Application filed January 2, 1914, Serial No.'8 09,816. Renewed January 17, 1917. Serial No. 142,961.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, RUDOLPH JACOB J 0- HANNES MUELLER and EnnoLL" GODDARD ROWLANDS, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, have of .which the following is a specification.

invented a lVater-Electrolyzing Apparatus,"

This invention relates to devices for pro-' ducing hydrogen and oxygen gas from water by electrolysis; and "our object is to produce an improved practical form of cell for the purpose.

In ourcopending United States application No. 755,886, we have disclosed and claimed a water-elctrolyzing apparatus some of whose features are also included in the present apparatus; and t is the .ob-

ject of the present invention to introduce certain nnprovementsginto the construction of that previously disclosed. In particular, we aim, first, to-provide an improved coir struction of the tank and diaphragm-frame, the wooden frame-previously-shown being here replaced by a special member which is also part of the tank itself and is insulated from both )ositive and ne ative 'oles secondlynfto provide an improved means of suspending the diaphragms; thirdly, to provide aclosed bottom for each diaphragm and a trough-shaped member in thebottom of the diaphragm which serves as a receiver and retainer of scaleand oxid' dust-drop ping from the anode; fourthly, to provide an improved construction of anodes; fifthly, to provide an improved construction of the bottom of the tank, which is enlarged and provided with a trough-shaped lining to cut 011' all electric action orfiow of currentvfrom the bottom of the tank to the anodes; sixthly, to provide improved means for flushing or cleaning out the tank; seventhly, "to provide means for ocular inspection of the interior of the tank during operation; ei-ghthly, to provide improved hermetic. sealing-devices to prevent escape of gas to the open air and also of hydrogen tothe oxygen chamber, or vice versa; and generally to improve the construction and operation ofapparatus of this class.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter particularly described and pointed'out in the claims.

. In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts'ln the sevthe diaphragms' being successively broken 1 away from left to right; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus, the cover and sealing gasket being partially cutaway on the line transverse section, the left hand half being taken on the line a fiand the right hand half on the line 4*, Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. Sis an end elevation of the apparatusviewed from E22, Fig. 1; Fig. '3 is a horizontal sectionn... j-

on the line 3- -3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4"'is' 'a vertical d5 the right relative to Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig.

6 is an enlarged view, partly in en'd'el'eva tion and partly in vertical cross section, of

one of the diaphragm hangers, a part. of a diaphragm and an attachment clip being shown; Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of two of the diaphragm attachment clips, a side clip and an end clip Fig. 9.isa" small scale perspective view of one of the diaphragm hangers; Fig. 10 is a'similar view of one of the diaphragm troughs; Fig; 11 is a perspective view of one of the anodes, .the right hand hanger" rod being broken away; Fig. 12 is a large scale transverse section of one of the oints between the neuand Fig. 13 is a similar section through one side of one of the safety covers and its seat.

The tank or container is in the present intralsection, cover and diaphragm hangers;

stance made in two sections, a lower section .Aand an upper section B, electrically-sepav rated from each other by an insulating joint which comprisi'r a trough a extending around the top of section A andcontaining the. U-shaped insulating gasket a? (omitted from Fig. 3) preferably of soft rubber which forms a cushion and also a hermetic seal. A liquefiable insulator such as paraflin, a filling the upperportio'n of the trougha, further insures a tight joint between said sections; The lower edge of section B rests irrthe groove of thei gasket a onlythelower section A is electri-- cally-active and forms a part of the electric circuit, to-witz' the negative electrode of the l i I cell, and, the upper section iselectricallv insulated from both electrodes, the former will be designated the tank section or memher, and the latter the neutral section or member.

The interior of the tank section A is divided by a plurality of longitudinal webs a parallel with the side walls into equal sized cellular spaces which are open at top and bottom, these webs a extending, as shown, only from the upper edge of said section to the top of the enlarged base a thereof. The webs a" are preferably perforated at intervals with holes a, as shown. The anodes C (three in number) are dis posed medially in the cellular spaces between the webs a and side walls of the section A, thus exposing a double surface to the electric current for each anode, and hang in tubular diaphragms D,ot woven liS'DGE c or other suitable material, ,as explained in. our aforesaidcopending application. The construction of the anodes and the diaphragms and the method of suspension thereof, are however, dii erent in the present application.

The anodes (l are suspended. froin the cover it, which in turn rests upon the neutral section B, but is insulated therefrom by means of a grid-shaped rubber gasket l; and to insure gas tight joints for separating the hydrogen from the oxygen chanr her, and for separating both chambers from the outer air, the neutral section B is provided with a series of parallel inner troughs 7) for the former, and for the latter is provided with an encompassing outer trough 71 in which the depending marginal flange 0 of the cover E is sealed by a liquefiable insulator such as paraliin, wax, pitch or the like. To facilitate removal of the sealing material when the'eover is to be raised, there are formed in the bottom of the trough 5 as shown in Fig. 2, one or more holes 7) which. are stopped with plugs when the trough is filled with the sealing material and removed when it is to be melted. and withdrawn as by applying a flame to the under side of the trough.

The anodes C are of special design, and one of them is shown separately in Fig. 11. Each anode comprises a pair of parallel, plates 0, preferably corrugated or grooved on their outer faces, as indicated in Fig. 1, but this is not essential to the invention and not shown in the other figures. Said plates are joined together in parallel rela tion by rivets 0 and interposed spacing sleeves which provide a narrow vertical space 0 for the circulation-of the liquid between them, as described in our copendin;: application. Each anode has a number cl hanger rods o riveted thereto and screwthroaded at their upper ends 0 to receive nuts (17 and washers 0 The screwthreaded ends of said rods are inserted in sockets or orifices in the cover, in I" they metal or the like, which forms a good electrical connection and a strong gas tight joint between the cover and anode. Thus the cover and anodes when assembled form substantially a single piece which is handled as a unit. This unit member, conslsting of thecover and anodesyhas to be removed.

when the cell is opened for cleaning or repairs, and to this end the cover is formed with a pair of upright parallel longitudinal ribs c, having holes c for the insertion of rods whereby it can be lifted.

The i'lia 'ihragms each comprise two parts, to-wit: the diaphragm proper D, and a hanger (it, one of which is shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 6. The hanger Gr is made of thin. sneet metal, and obviates the necessity and dilliculty of rendering gasimpermeable that portion of the diaphragm which extends above the liquid level. It is tubular in form, of the same cross section as the diaphragm D, and of suflicient length to extend below the liquid level, as shown.

it is formed at its upper end with an out wardly and downwardly projecting flange g of proper form to fit into the sealing trough b, which extends continuously around each hanger, as will be evident from Figs. 2 and 4-. The lower edge oi the hanger is formed with a continuous recurved flange which is sufficiently narrow L-O enable it to pass into the space between adjacent troughs 7), and forms a secure joint with the upper folded edge of the diaphragm D, as shown at the right of Fig. 6, the flange of the hanger being pressed lightly against the infolded edge of the diaphragm It is preferable, although not essential, to insert clips H H with the infolded edge of the diaphragm into the flange g. The clips H and H (Figs. 7 and are made of sheet metal folded with one leg or side wider than the other, the outer leg or side being of sufiicient width to depend some distance belowthe bottom of the hanger G. The object oi these clips is toprevent the oxygen which rises from the anodes G from getting between the hanger and diaphragm at the joint, thereby causing bellying of the diaphragm and tending to spread it out against the cathode plates, besides tending to produce leakage of oxygen through the diaphragm or the joint. The clip ll is made three-sided. as shown in Fig. 9, so as to extend around the corners-of the flange at the ends of the hanger.

In the'present case, the diaphragms D are provided at the bottom with troughs I alkaline solution used for for stretching and holding them in place. One of these troughs is shown with the central portion broken away, in Fig 10. The troughs I may be made of any sultable heavy material, but preferably of insulating material such as porcelain. Each trough ls provided with a series of holes 71 along its length, and the diaphragm D, which is otherwise closed at the bottom and forms a pocket, has a set of corresponding holes therein. These troughs, besides serving as weights to hold the diaphragms against flapping or bellying, serve as catching receptacles for the rust and scale which fall from the anodes, the object being to prevent this material from falling and accumulating on the bottom ofthe cell where it might form a pile which would electrically connect the walls of the cell with the anodes and there.

by produce a short circuit. A little of the material will normally fall throughthe holes i, but not enough to produce a short circ'uit. In cleaning the cell, this material is removed from the troughs by first removing the cover and anodes from the tank and then flushing the troughs I with a hose," thereby washing the accumulated materialtherefrom through the holes 2" into the bot tom of the cell, from which it is washed through the holes in the end covers.

The form of the bottom of the cell has been improved byofi'setting the walls so as to enlarge it on both sides and ends, as

shown, and by setting therein a tray or trough J, which is intended to hug the sides and bottom as closely as possible, and has open ends. This tray is made of insulating material and its purpose is to prevent elcctrolytic action between the anodes and that part of the walls of the cell which lies below them, as such action would tend to permit hydrogen to enter the tubular diaphragms The tray is preferably made of asbestos, and as this material becomes softened in the the electrolyte, flanges It may be formed on the inside of the covers K, to support the sides of the tray. On the bottom of the tray J is laida glass plate L which further prevents any electrolytic action of the bottom of the cell and enables the material accumulating thereon tobe easily and cleanly removed.

The ends of the enlarged bottomportion a of the tank A are made open and provided with flanges a to receive the'cov'er plates K, which are secured thereto by bolts k and provided with sealing gaskets it. Each cover plate is formed withtwo externally threaded tubular bosses upon which are screwed caps 70 These bosses enablethe bottom of the cell to be fiushed'without removin the cover plates K, and furthermore, by niahing the caps 70 open in the center and onfining glass 'plates is with sea-ling Washers k between" them a dthe. bosses, it is respectively,

which is not shown, this pipe being shown at the opposite end of the cell in Fig. 5.

Means for indicating theliquid level Within the cell comprise a gageN with glass sight I tube a and metallic coupling members a which connect it with the tank A and neutral j section B and must therefore be insulated from each other. To thisend insulating collars n are'provided for the fender rods 11) where they pass through the perforated lugs n in the lower coupling member 11,.

To produce and maintain perfectly tight joints or seals'between the members A and B and between the members B and E, we have found that entire dependence cannot be placed upon paraffin or other liquefiabl'e .sealing material, nor upon the rubber gaskets, since the edges of a casting like the member B cannot in practice always be made perfectly smooth or without flaws' Should, moreover, the. cell or the upper section B, receive. a jar, as'may' happen in setting the anodes and cover in place or in removing them, this may be sufficient to break the seal in the trough a,

particularly b or b and cause trouble if the rubber gaskets'and paraffin or liquefiable sealing material are alone depended on. The sides of the members Aand B respectively are therefore formedwithforked lugs a and b to receive bolts 0 which-are provided with insulating collars 0 and nuts 0 said bolts beingv used particularly to draw the parts material isbeing poured.

Special clamping means are provided to hold down the cover E upon the sealing gasket F during the pouring of the melted sealing material into the trough I), and such means may comprise a seriesof screw clamps P which engage under the bottom of the trough b and upon lugs a formed on the cover as resting points for the clamping screws 3). These clamps may be either left.

has cooled and hardened or set.

In the case 'offthe joint at the sealing gas on or removed after the sealing material ket F, the length of the seal is considerable,

as it embraces notmerely the1en'circling-portion, but also the medial portions of the troughs b. It is necessary withqthis gasket to form a perfect hermetic se'para-tiombetween the hydro-gen and oxygen chambers outside and inside, the'diaphragm hangers G. .The troughs-arefirst filled with liquefiable sealing material and the gasket then laid uponthem, the. gasket tightly together while the liquid sealing which is screwed into the hollow lug on a perfect seal, the flanges e are formed on their lower surfaces with longitudinal ribs 6 (see'Fig. 12) which are so placed as to depress the rubber of 'the gasket F into the middle portions of the troughs 6" between the two flanges g of the adjacent hangers, or between one-of said flanges and the opposite wall of the trough.

The cover E is preferably prpvided in the top with two openings 6 which are adaptedto receive safety covers Q. Each cover Q is made of sheet metal with a depending marginal flange g which fits into a trough e in the cover E, and when the trough is, filled with parafl'ln or other liquefiable sealing material g forms therewith a gas tight joint which will yield only to excessive pressure within the cell. Each cover Q is also formed with a circular crease or rib 97 which rests upon an asbestos gasket 9 and presses thelatter into an annular groove 6 around the edge of the opening 6 The cover Q may be held down upon the gasket 9* by extraneous means while the sealing material g is being poured. To facilitate removal ofthe sealing material, the trough e is formed in one side with a drain hole c, which can be stopped with a plug while the melted sealing material is being poured into the trough.

Two pipes R, which are screwed into" threaded holes 6 in the cover E, are for conducting off the oxygen collected in the chamber under the cover, and the pipe S one end of the member 13, is for conducting off the hydrogen collected in-the chamber in said member outside of the diaphragm hangers G.

Electrical terminals areformed by means of copper or brass studs T and U threaded into lugs b and e on the tank A and cover E respectively, and provided with nuts t and u for the attachment of straps t and 10 by which the cell is supplied with current.

Various. modifications in the construction and arrangement of parts of the apparatus may be made .without departure from the principle and scope of the invention as de fined in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In awater electrolyzing cell the combination of a tank member which constitutes one electrode of the cell, a neutral member mounted onand insulated from the tank member, a cover member mounted on and insulated from the neutral member, an elecconnected with the cover member and pending through an opening in the neutral member into the tank member, and a dia phragm suspended from said neutral member around said electrode plate and extending below the same.

2. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member which acts as one electrode, a neutral member which forms an extension on the upper part of the tank member and is insulated therefrom, and a cover member mounted on said neutral member and closing the top of the cell and insu lated from said neutral member, said cover member forming the other electrode of the cell.

3. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member which acts as one electrode, a neutral member'which forms an extension on the upper part of the tank member and is insulated therefrom, a cover member'mounted on said neutral member and closing the top of the cell and insulated from said neutral member, said cover member forming the other electrode of the cell. and an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said cover member and in position to act conjointly with the walls of said -tank member as electrolytic surfaces.

4. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member which acts as one electrode, a neutral member which forms an extension onthe upper part of the tank member and is insulated therefrom, "a cover member mounted on said neutral member and closing the top of the cell and insulated from said neutral member, said cover member forming the other electrode of the cell, an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said cover mem-;

her and in position to act conjointly with the walls of said tank member as electrolytic surfaces, and a diaphragm suspended from said neutral member and disposed between said electrolytic surfaces of said plate and tank member.

5. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member which acts as one electrode, a neutral member which forms an extension on the upper part of the tank member and is insulated therefrom, a cover member mounted on said neutral member and closing the top of the cell and insulated from said neutral member, said cover member forming the other electrode of the cell, an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said cover member and in position to act conjointly with the walls of said tank member as electrolytic surfaces, and a diaphragm suspended from said neutral member and, surrounding said electrode plate;

6. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member which acts as one electrode, a neutral member which forms an extension on the upper part of the tank member and is insulated therefrom, a cover member mounted on said neutral member and closing the top of the cell and insulated from said neutral member, said cover member forming the other electrode of the cell, an electrode plate suspended from and electricallyconnected with said cover member and in position to act conjointly with the walls of, said tank' member as electrolytic extension of the tank Walls mounted on and insulated from said tank .member, said neutral member forming also a gas chamber.

for one of thetwo gases evolved and having a delivery duct leading therefrom, a tubular diaphragm suspended from. said neutral member, a metal cover member mounted on and insulated from said neutral member and forming the other electrode of the cell, and an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said cover member, said electrode plate being disposed within said tubular diaphragm.

8. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member forming one electrode of the cell and havinga trough encompassing its upper edge, a neutral member forming an upward extension of the walls of said tank member and mounted thereon and having its lower edge in said trough but out of contact with said tank member, insulating material filling said trough and electrically separating said neutral member from said tank member and forming a hermetic seal between the two members, said neutral member having a trough completely encircling its upper edge,

- pending into said last named trough; and

nation of a tank member forming one eleca cover member mounted on said neutral member and forming the other electrode of the cell and having a marginal portion de-v insulating material'lying between and electrically separating said cover member and neutral member, a part of said insulating material filling. said trough and forming a hermetic'seal between said cover and neutral member.

4 9. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combitrode of the cell and having atrough encompassing its upper edge, a neutral mem-- ber forming an upward extension of the walls of said tank member and mounted thereon and having its lower edge in said trough but out of contact with said, tank member, insulating material filling said trough and electrically separating said neutral member from said tank member and forming a hermetic seal between the two members, said neutral member having a trough completely encircling its upper edge, a cover member mounted on said neutral member and forming the other electrode of the cell and having a marginal portion deof impervious material and the lower part of porous material and the two being united by a hermetic joint approximately at the liquid level, and an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said cover member.

10. In a water electrolyzing cell, the com ber forming an upward extension of the walls of said tank member and mounted thereon electrically separating said neutral member" from said tank member and forming a hermetic seal between the two members, said neutral member having atrough completely encircling its upper edge, a cover member mounted on said-neutral member and forming the other electrode of the cell and having a marginal portion depending into said last named trough; insulating material lying between and electrically separating said cover member and neutral member, a part of said insulating material filling said trough and forming a hermetic seal between said cover and neutral member, said neutral member having also-an encircling trough surrounding its inner margin, a tubular diaphragm the. upper edge of which has a recurved flange extending down into said trough, liquefiable sealing material in, said trough which forms-a hermetic seal between said neutral member and said diaphragm,

and an electrode plate suspended from and electrically connected with said ,cover and disposed within said tubular diaphragm.

vparts, the upper one of which is of sheet metal provided with a recurved flange on its upper margin which extends into. said trough andthe lower part of which diaphragm is of flexible fabric; the two being united by a hermetic joint at about the level of the electrolyte, saidjoint comprising reelectrolyte space,'t-he two being united by a hermetic joint comprising arecurved flange on said sheet metal portion in which the upper edge of said lower portion is confined; and a metal clip of U-shaped section with the inner leg confined within said recurved flange and the outer leg being longer and subtending said flexible fabric to a distance below the bottom of said sheet metal portion whereby said flexible fabric is prevented from spreading outwardly.

13. In a water electrolyzing cell, a compound diaphragm pocket comprising a sheet metal upper portion occupying the gas space and a flexible fabric lower portionoccupying the electrolyte space, the two being united by a hermetic joint comprising a'recurved flange on said sheet metal portion in which the upper edge of said lower portion is confined; and a trough-shaped weight on the bottom of said pocket which prevents'the fabric from bellying.

1a. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of an electrode plate, an inclosing diaphragm pocket of flexible material and a trough-shaped weight on the bottom of said pocket which acts to hold said diaphragm pocket distended.

15. In a water electrolyzing apparatus, the combination of an electrode plate, a diaphragm pocket inclosing said plate and out of contact therewith, and a trough supported on the bottom of said pocket below said electrode plate and adapted to receive and hold scale and the like dropping from said plate.

16. In a water electrolyzing apparatus, the combination of an electrode plate, a diaphragm pocket inclosing said plate and out of contact therewith, and a trough supported on the bottom of said pocket below said electrode plate and adapted to receive and hold scale and the like dropping from said plate, said trough having holes in the bottom thereof through which any accumulated scale and the like may be flushed.

17. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination-of a suspended electrode plate and an independently suspended diaphragm pocket inclosing said plate and substantially closed at the bottom at some distance below the bottom of said plate whereby it is adapted to retain scale and dust falling from said plate.

18. In a water electrolyzing cell, the combination of a suspended electrode plate and a suspended diaphragm pocket inclosing said plate and substantially close-(lat the bottom at some distance below the bottom of said plate whereby it is adapted to retain scale and dust falling from said plate and provided with one or more holes through which any scale and dust therein may be washed out.

19. In a water electrolyzing apparatus, an electrode plate comprising .two parallel plates, spacers separating them and rivets uniting them together through said spacers, thus forming an interior hollow space adapted tor permit the downward circulation of the electrolyte; and hanger rods riveted between said plates at the top and extending upwardly therefrom and provided with means on their upper ends-foiasecuring them to a support.

20. In a water electrolyzing cell, the com-. bination of a tank member having thewalls thereof at the bottom offset outwardly from the walls of the upper portion thereby formingan enlarged bottom chamber, one or both end walls'of said 'bottomportion being removable; and a trough-shaped insulating member fitting in said bottom portion, the upper edges thereof extending approximately to the top of said bottom portion whereby solid materials are prevented from getting between said insulating member and the tank walls.

21. In a water el ctrolyzing cell, the combination of a tank member having the walls thereof at the bottom oli'set outwardly from the walls of the upper portion thereby forming an enlarged bottom chamber, one or both end walls of said bottom portion being removable; and a trough-shaped insulating member fitting in said bottom portion and extending approximately to the top thereof, whereby solid material is prevented from getting between the insulating member and the walls of the tank; and inwardly extending flanges on the end walls of said enlarged portion which are adapted to abut on the inner faces of said insulating member-and thereby support the same.

22. In a water electrolyzing cell, a tank member having a. hollow threaded boss on lining member covering the bottom and sides of said enlarged bottom portlon, two re-.

movable end covers for said enlarged hottol'n portion, each having one or more openings', and fem'oirable' transparent closures for said openings whereby when in place the interior of the cellcan be inspected while in operation and when removed the bottom of In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two witnesses.

RUDOLPH JACOB JOHANNES MUELLER. ERROLL GODDARD ROWLANDS Witnesses:

' FRANCIS WILLIAMS,

IDA B. ZUFELT. 

